Veteran New Zealander dies from spinal injury
June 1, 2001

The Auckland Rugby Football Union today offered its condolences to the family of Pita Fuafiva, who died on Thursday following a tackle incident in a rugby match last weekend.

An Auckland police officer, Mr Fuafiva, 48, was First Five Eight for the Ponsonby Presidents team and suffered a spinal injury after tackling a player during a game on Saturday, 26 May. A Ponsonby Rugby Club official took swift action after discovering Mr Fuafiva was
paralysed and called an ambulance to the ground at Avondale Racecourse.

The Auckland Rugby Football Union and the New Zealand Rugby Union were saddened by the tragic event and have offered Mr Fuafiva's family all the support they require, including financial help and grief counseling.

Auckland RFU chief executive David White sent his condolences to Mr Fuafiva's family.

"It is extremely upsetting for a rugby player to lose his life from playing the game. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife and children," he said.

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